Use of the Clock Drawing Test and the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test-copy with convolutional neural networks to predict cognitive impairment

Background The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) are widely used as a part of neuropsychological test batteries to assess cognitive function. Our objective was to confirm the prediction accuracies of the RCFT-copy and CDT for cognitive impairment (CI) using convolutional neural network algorithms as a screening tool. Methods The CDT and RCFT-copy data were obtained from patients aged 60–80 years who had more than 6 years of education. In total, 747 CDT and 980 RCFT-copy figures were utilized. Convolutional neural network algorithms using TensorFlow (ver. 2.3.0) on the Colab cloud platform ( www.colab.research.google.com ) were used for preprocessing and modeling. We measured the prediction accuracy of each drawing test 10 times using this dataset with the following classes: normal cognition (NC) vs. mildly impaired cognition (MI), NC vs. severely impaired cognition (SI), and NC vs. CI (MI + SI). Results The accuracy of the CDT was better for differentiating MI (CDT, 78.04 ± 2.75; RCFT-copy, not being trained) and SI from NC (CDT, 91.45 ± 0.83; RCFT-copy, 90.27 ± 1.52); however, the RCFT-copy was better at predicting CI (CDT, 77.37 ± 1.77; RCFT, 83.52 ± 1.41). The accuracy for a 3-way classification (NC vs. MI vs. SI) was approximately 71% for both tests; no significant difference was found between them. Conclusions The two drawing tests showed good performance for predicting severe impairment of cognition; however, a drawing test alone is not enough to predict overall CI. There are some limitations to our study: the sample size was small, all the participants did not perform both the CDT and RCFT-copy, and only the copy condition of the RCFT was used. Algorithms involving memory performance and longitudinal changes are worth future exploration. These results may contribute to improved home-based healthcare delivery.The costs for manuscript publication, design of the study, data management, and writing of the manuscript were supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2017S1A6A3A01078538)

Effect of vitamin E in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with metabolic syndrome: A propensity score-matched cohort study

Background/AimsVitamin E improves the biochemical profiles and liver histology in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, but the role of vitamin E is not clearly defined in the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which includes both simple steatosis and steatohepatitis. Co-morbid metabolic syndrome increases the probability of steatohepatitis in NAFLD. In this study, we aimed to determine the short-term effects of vitamin E and off-treatment durability of response in a propensity-score matched cohort of NAFLD patients with metabolic syndrome.MethodsA retrospective cohort was constructed by retrieving 526 consecutive NAFLD patients from the electronic medical record data warehouse of a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea. Among them, 335 patients (63.7%) had metabolic syndrome and were eligible for vitamin E therapy. In order to assess the effect of vitamin E, propensity score matching was used by matching covariates between control patients (n=250) and patients who received vitamin E (n=85).ResultsThe PS-matched vitamin E group (n=58) and control group (n=58) exhibited similar baseline metabolic profiles. After 6 months of vitamin E therapy, the mean ALT levels decreased significantly compared to PS-matched control (P<0.01). The changes in metabolic profiles (body weight, lipid and glucose levels) did not differ between control and vitamin E groups during the study period.ConclusionsShort-term vitamin E treatment significantly reduces ALT levels in NAFLD patients with metabolic syndrome, but metabolic profiles are not affected by vitamin E

Unique ethnic features of <I>DDX41</I> mutations in patients with idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance, myelodysplastic syndrome, or acute myeloid leukemia

DDX41 mutations are associated with hematologic malignancies including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the incidence in idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) is unknown. We investigated the incidence, genetic characteristics, and clinical features of DDX41 mutations in Korean patients with ICUS, MDS, or AML. We performed targeted deep sequencing of 61 genes including DDX41 in 457 patients with ICUS (n=75), MDS (n=210), or AML (n=172). Germline DDX41 mutations with causality were identified in 28 (6.1%) patients, of whom 27 (96.4%) had somatic mutations in the other position of DDX41. Germline origins of the DDX41 mutations were confirmed in all of the 11 patients in whom germline-based testing was performed. Of the germline DDX41 mutations, p.V152G (n=10) was most common, followed by p.Y259C (n=8), p.A500fs (n=6), and p.E7* (n=3). Compared with non-mutated patients, patients with a DDX41 mutation were more frequently male, older, had a normal karyotype, low leukocyte count, and hypocellular marrow at diagnosis. Three of the four ICUS patients with germline DDX41 mutations progressed to MDS. The incidence of DDX41 mutations in Korean patients was high and there was a distinct mutation pattern, in that p.V152G was a unique germline variant. ICUS harboring germline DDX41 mutations may be regarded as a hereditary myeloid neoplasm. Germline DDX41 mutations are not uncommon and should be explored when treating patients with myeloid malignancies

CSF total tau/α-synuclein ratio improved the diagnostic performance for Alzheimers disease as an indicator of tau phosphorylation

Abstract Background Recently, several studies suggested potential involvements of α-synuclein in Alzheimers disease (AD) pathophysiology. Higher concentrations of α-synuclein were reported in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients with a positive correlation towards CSF tau, indicating its possible role in AD. We analyzed the CSF biomarkers to verify whether α-synuclein could be an additional supported biomarker in AD diagnosis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, CSF samples of 71 early-onset AD, 34 late-onset AD, 11 mild cognitive impairment, 17 subjective cognitive decline, 45 Parkinsons disease, and 32 healthy control (HC) were collected. CSF amyloid-β1-42 (A), total tau (N), and phosphorylated tau181 (T) were measured by commercial ELISA kits, and in-house ELISA kit was developed to quantify α-synuclein. The cognitive assessments and amyloid-PET imaging were also performed. Results CSF α-synuclein manifested a tendency to increase in AD and to decreased in Parkinsons disease compared to HC. The equilibrium states of total tau and α-synuclein concentrations were changed significantly in AD, and the ratio of total tau/α-synuclein (N/αS) was dramatically increased in AD than HC. Remarkably, N/αS revealed a strong positive correlation with tau phosphorylation rate. Also, the combination of N/αS with amyloid-β1-42/phosphorylated tau181ratio had the best diagnosis performance (AUC = 0.956, sensitivity = 96%, specificity = 87%). In concordance analysis, N/αS showed the higher diagnostic agreement with amyloid-β1-42 and amyloid-PET. Analysis of biomarker profiling with N/αS had distinctive characteristics and clustering of each group. Especially, among the group of suspected non-Alzheimers disease pathophysiology, all A−T+N+ patients with N/αS+ were reintegrated into AD. Conclusions The high correlation of α-synuclein with tau and the elevated N/αS in AD supported the involvement of α-synuclein in AD pathophysiology. Importantly, N/αS improved the diagnostic performance, confirming the needs of incorporating α-synuclein as a biomarker for neurodegenerative disorders. The incorporation of a biomarker group [N/αS] could contribute to provide better understanding and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders

Türkiye’de Muhaceret Basını: Türkistan (1953) ve Türkistan Sesi (1956-57) Dergileri

Türkistan ve Türkistan Sesi dergileri Mehmet Emin Buğra tarafından çıkartılmıştır. Türkistan (1953) dergisi, İstanbul'da çıkarılıp 6 ay boyunca yayın hayatına devam etmiş, Türkistan Sesi (1956-57) ise Ankara'da yayımlanmıştır. Türkiye'de yaşayan Türkistanlı muhacir aydınlar tarafından basılan bu dergiler, Sovyet Rusya'ya ve Kızıl Çin'e karşı özgürlük mücadelesini yansıtması bakımından oldukça önemlidir. Bu dergiler sayesinde 1950’li yıllarda Türkistan'da nelerin yaşandığını, Sovyet Rusya'nın Türkistan'a nasıl bir şekil vermek istediğini ve Türkistanlıların Rusya'nın bu siyasetine bakış açılarını öğrenebilme imkanına sahip oluyoruz. Bu iki dergi, Türkistanlıların yaşam tarzı ve komünizmin rejimi altında neler yaşadıkları gerçeğini bilmek adına da son derece önemlidir. Bu kadar önemli olmasına karşın, her iki dergi bugüne kadar da ayrıntılı olarak araştırılmamıştır. Dolayısıyla bu çalışma, dergilerin içeriğini analiz etmek ve muhaceretteki Türkistanlı aydınların ele aldığı meseleleri belirlemek suretiyle Türkistan davasının bu dönemdeki durumunu tüm veçhesiyle ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Doğu Türkistan, Mehmet Emin Buğra, Ceditçilik, Türkiye’de Türkistanlı göçmenler, Sovyet yönetiminde Orta Asya ABSTRACT Türkistan and Türkistan Sesi journals were published in 1950 by Mehmet Emin Buğra, an important east Turkestani emigré leader. Türkistan journal (1953) was published in İstanbul for 6 months. Türkistan Sesi was published in Ankara for more than a year. Türkistani emigre intellectuals wrote in these periodicals in. They are very important in terms of understanding the shaping the liberation struggle against Rusya and China. These jounals has reflected the pressures of Soviet and Chinese regimes in western and eastern Turkestan. These two Journals give us opportunity to learn what was happened in Turkestan under the communist regimes, how Sovyet regime imposed its politics on Turkestan and how were perspectives and reactions of Turkestani intellectuals. In addition, the content of the articles provides valuable information by describing the state of Turkestan in 1950. These two journals have not been investigated in detail although they are very important. This study first analyzed all the articles of the jounals, then classificated all the articles and analyzed the contents of the journals thoughty. Therefore, the dissertetion aimed at is intended to serve as a scientific resource. Keywords: East Turkestan, Turkestan emigrés in Turkey, Mehmet Emin Buğra, Jadidism, Soviet Central Asi

Türkiye’de Muhaceret Basını: Türkistan (1953) ve Türkistan Sesi (1956-57) Dergileri

ÖZETTürkistan ve Türkistan Sesi dergileri Mehmet Emin Buğra tarafından çıkartılmıştır. Türkistan (1953) dergisi, İstanbul'da çıkarılıp 6 ay boyunca yayın hayatına devam etmiş, Türkistan Sesi (1956-57) ise Ankara'da yayımlanmıştır. Türkiye'de yaşayan Türkistanlı muhacir aydınlar tarafından basılan bu dergiler, Sovyet Rusya'ya ve Kızıl Çin'e karşı özgürlük mücadelesini yansıtması bakımından oldukça önemlidir. Bu dergiler sayesinde 1950’li yıllarda Türkistan'da nelerin yaşandığını, Sovyet Rusya'nın Türkistan'a nasıl bir şekil vermek istediğini ve Türkistanlıların Rusya'nın bu siyasetine bakış açılarını öğrenebilme imkanına sahip oluyoruz. Bu iki dergi, Türkistanlıların yaşam tarzı ve komünizmin rejimi altında neler yaşadıkları gerçeğini bilmek adına da son derece önemlidir. Bu kadar önemli olmasına karşın, her iki dergi bugüne kadar da ayrıntılı olarak araştırılmamıştır. Dolayısıyla bu çalışma, dergilerin içeriğini analiz etmek ve muhaceretteki Türkistanlı aydınların ele aldığı meseleleri belirlemek suretiyle Türkistan davasının bu dönemdeki durumunu tüm veçhesiyle ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Doğu Türkistan, Mehmet Emin Buğra, Ceditçilik, Türkiye’de Türkistanlı göçmenler, Sovyet yönetiminde Orta AsyaABSTRACTTürkistan and Türkistan Sesi journals were published in 1950 by Mehmet Emin Buğra, an important east Turkestani emigré leader. Türkistan journal (1953) was published in İstanbul for 6 months. Türkistan Sesi was published in Ankara for more than a year. Türkistani emigre intellectuals wrote in these periodicals in. They are very important in terms of understanding the shaping the liberation struggle against Rusya and China. These jounals has reflected the pressures of Soviet and Chinese regimes in western and eastern Turkestan. These two Journals give us opportunity to learn what was happened in Turkestan under the communist regimes, how Sovyet regime imposed its politics on Turkestan and how were perspectives and reactions of Turkestani intellectuals. In addition, the content of the articles provides valuable information by describing the state of Turkestan in 1950. These two journals have not been investigated in detail although they are very important. This study first analyzed all the articles of the jounals, then classificated all the articles and analyzed the contents of the journals thoughty. Therefore, the dissertetion aimed at is intended to serve as a scientific resource. Keywords: East Turkestan, Turkestan emigrés in Turkey, Mehmet Emin Buğra, Jadidism, Soviet Central Asi

Luteolin Shifts Oxaliplatin-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest at G₀/G₁ to Apoptosis in HCT116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Certain antioxidative flavonoids are known to activate nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates cellular antioxidants and detoxifying response and is reportedly highly activated in many types of cancers. Few studies on the potential undesired effects of flavonoid intake during chemotherapy have been conducted, yet Nrf2 activators could favor cancer cell survival by attenuating chemotherapeutic efficiency. This study aimed to examine if luteolin, an Nrf2 activator, hinders chemotherapeutic activity of oxaliplatin, a potent anticancer agent for colorectal cancer, in HCT116 cells. Luteolin treatment strongly increased the transcriptional activity of the antioxidant response element in HCT116 cells and induced the protein expression of heme oxygenase-1, which were indicative of its Nrf2-inducing potential. Intriguingly, 25 &#956;M luteolin reduced cell viability through apoptotic induction, which was intensified in p53-expressing cells while 1 &#956;M oxaliplatin caused cell cycle arrest at G0/G1-phase via the p53/p21-dependent mechanism. Moreover, luteolin treatment was found to reduce oxaliplatin-treated p53-null cell viability and colony counts further, thereby demonstrating an additional effect of luteolin in the killing of human colorectal tumor HCT116 cells not expressing functional p53 protein. The findings suggest that luteolin can induce p53-mediated apoptosis regardless of oxaliplatin treatment and may eliminate oxaliplatin-resistant p53-null colorectal cells

Plausible carrier transport model in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite resistive memory devices

We demonstrate thermally assisted hopping (TAH) as an appropriate carrier transport model for CH3NH3PbI3 resistive memories. Organic semiconductors, including organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites, have been previously speculated to follow the space-charge-limited conduction (SCLC) model. However, the SCLC model cannot reproduce the temperature dependence of experimental current-voltage curves. Instead, the TAH model with temperature-dependent trap densities and a constant trap level are demonstrated to well reproduce the experimental results

The Effects of Group Art Therapy on the Primary Family Caregivers of Hospitalized Patients with Brain Injuries in South Korea

This study examined the effects of group art therapy on depression, burden, and self-efficacy in primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries. This was a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group and a pre- and post-test design. This study was carried out in one national rehabilitation hospital targeting 41 primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries. Group art therapy intervention was carried out three days per week comprising 12 sessions over four consecutive weeks. The experimental group (n = 20) received group art therapy, whereas the control group (n = 21) did not. We used a time difference method to minimize the risk of contaminating the control group by sampling sequentially. For depression, although there was a significant difference after the intervention (t = 3.296, p = 0.004), the mean difference score was not statistically significant between the experimental group and the control group (t = 0.861, p = 0.395). The experimental group showed a significantly greater decrease in burden (t = 2.462, p = 0.020) and significantly greater improvement in self-efficacy (t = −6.270, p &lt; 0.001) than the control group. Group art therapy may be an effective nursing intervention for primary family caregivers of patients with brain injuries